Rugby world united at touraid tournament

3:20pm Thursday 27th September 2007

Teams from some of the world's most troubled regions are taking part in the touraid Under-14 Cup in London this week, writes Simon Mills.

The tournament sees sides from Swaziland, India, Cambodia, Zambia, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Romania, Rwanda, Kenya and South Africa playing at Esher today with a finals day at Richmond on Saturday, September 29.

The children are backed by corporate sponsors, hosted by local schools and supported by clubs in the area, so the Mountain Gorillas from rural communities in Rwanda are being hosted by Eltham College and Rosslyn Park, and sponsored by law firm Clifford Chance.

The tournament at Esher kicked off with the Langa Lions township team from South Africa playing the Kambujabutra side from Cambodia and was due to end with the Masai Cheetahs from Kenya against Kitwe Minors from Zambia.

The host school teams play a parallel tournament which allows them to watch their guest sides in action.

They will also be supported by touraid ambassadors who include the former South Africa wing Chester Williams, England hooker Phil Greening and England women's captain Sue Day.

touraid is a children's charity that establishes sustainable relationships between schools and clubs in the UK with similar organisations around the globe that support disadvantaged children.

The charity sees rugby as the catalyst for these partnerships and the conduit for the resulting educational, cultural and social benefits to the visiting teams and host children.

For more information you can contact touraid on 01932-829209 or 07980 042358, email info@touraid.org or visit touraid.org